Srinagar: Locals living right from Barbarshah to Mandarbagh Gowkadal here are up in arms against the authorities accusing them of failing to undertake concrete work to repair the bund breaches through which gushing water entered into these areas in September 2014.
A group of respectable citizens from these areas told CNS that administration took short term measures to plug the breaches of Chountkul caused due to devastating floods. They said that the main breach near Vikram Hotel occupied by CRPF at Mandarbagh has been temporarily repaired while another breech near Kashmiri Lal Machine point also needs government attention. These breaches were plugged using sand bags and mud. One year has passed since then. These breaches need to be taken care of permanently by using cement and other material, they said adding that their areas are unsafe and if it rains for a few days water would seep into our areas through these breaches once again.
Government is more interested in beautification than safety. It is installing street lights along the Chountkul bund but doesnt bother to repair the breeches permanently, they said.
They said that due to official apathy Chountkul has been shrinking as some people dump construction material into it. LAWDA passes the buck and blames Irrigation and Flood Control Department for negligence and vice versa. We dont understand who is the final authority that can stop people from dumping flood and construction material into this precious waterbody, they said.
Chief Engineer I&FC didnt respond, however an official of the department said that work will be started soon to get the breeches permanently repaired. He however said that it is the job of LAWDA to take action against the people who dump material into the water bodies. The locals have not brought the issue into our notice. Since you are taking it up with us, we will look into it, said a LAWDA official. (CNS)
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